A string, tangling and twining, strings together the auspicious wishes, the long history of the Chinese culture and even the hearts of our Chinese people. Originated from the habit of making records by the knots of the rope, the Chinese knots have played a vital role in the Chinese costume culture, decorative culture and the blessing-praying culture, fully embodying the ingenuity and deftness of the working class. Every basic knot is named after either its outer form or the inner meaning. By combining different types of knots or by arranging them with other ornaments of auspicious patterns, the traditional and auspicious Chinese knots then come into being, featuring its unique configuration and profound connotation. Now, Chinese of one heart, just like this knot with only one thread, pray for the compatriots suffering from the earthquake and wish them safe and sound from all over the world.

Ancient Application of the Chinese Knot

Costume
Without present-day accessories such as buttons or zips on the earliest costumes, people had to knot the clothing belt instead so as to tie their dresses.
Costume
Jade pendants
The Chinese tended to wear jade pendants. The jade pendants in all dynasties, such as the semi-annular ones and those with dragon pattern, bore a small round hole so that they could be stringed and tied to the clothes. Besides, there were jade pendant sets composed of several different jade pendants in a long string. To tie them together, the ways of stringing and knotting are inevitable.
ade pendants
Signet knob and mirror knob
Ancient people tended to wear the signet on their body. In ancient times, at the center of the bronze mirror back lay a mirror knob. It is convenient to carry when a string is attached to the knob.
Signet knob and mirror knob

Weave a Chinese knot and ass our wishing for safety to our compatriots suffering from earthquake

Entry level

X-shaped Chinese knot formed by two nonslip knots

Lucky knot

Ruyi knot

Challenge

Butterfly knot

The origin of the Chinese knots

The much-discussed topic of making records by the knots of the rope demonstrated the important role of the knots in the development of the human being. According to the historical literature of Book of Changes, and the Annotations of The Book of Changes by Zheng Xuan in the Eastern Han Dynasty, knots are endued with the legal meaning of contract and agreement and meanwhile it functions as a tool to record historical events. Therefore, knots are much respected by the Chinese. With the passing of time, the recording method changes from the rope, the oracle bone, paper and brush, lead and fire up to fire and electric. Nowadays, the tiny colorful rope is no longer used as a recording method; however, tangling it into all kinds of knots revives a string of beautiful ancient legendary stories.

The origin of the Chinese knots

The connotation of various Chinese knots

  • The connotation of various Chinese knots

  • Lucky cloud knot:

    having good fortune as one wishes; praying for being safe and sound

  • Chinese knot with the Chinese character fu (blessing):

    being full of blessings and with a divine star shining over to protect you.

  • Fish-shaped Chinese knot:

    affluent year after year, being superabundant

  • Chinese knot with the Chinese character shou (longevity):

    enjoying longevity and affluent year

  • True-lover’s knot:

    with great love and deep affection and be of one mind forever

  • Round brocade knot:

    clusters of flowers and brocades; enjoying a splendid prospects and a glorious future

  • Ruyi knot:

    everything is satisfactory and goes as one’s wish